A former assistant maintenance supervisor at Huffman Baptist Church contends in a federal lawsuit filed today that the church racially discriminated against him when he was fired after calling another employee a derogatory name.

The man, who is black, argues that three white church employees would curse and they were not fired, according to the lawsuit.

Solomon B. Harris of Pinson contends in the lawsuit that his civil rights were violated. Harris was hired by the church in January 2003, according to the lawsuit. He was fired in September after having a "verbal discussion" with another employee in which Harris called the other employee by a derogatory name, according to the lawsuit.

Three white female employees "would curse while at work and in the presence of managerial employees, and no action would be taken against them and they have not been terminated," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit asks a judge to declare that the church's policies, practices and procedures violated Harris' rights and to award him damages.

Harris filed a charge of discrimination in September with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The commission dismissed the charge and notified Harris of his rights on Nov. 18, according to the lawsuit.